CHEVROLET SUBURBAN · model year

2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

139 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012CHEVROLETSUBURBAN carries 139 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 SUBURBAN is unknown or other with 38 filings, followed by air bags (25) and structure:body (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2012 SUBURBAN, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

139
Complaints
3
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

139 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER38
AIR BAGS25
STRUCTURE:BODY21
ENGINE12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
POWER TRAIN5
TIRES3
WHEELS3
SERVICE BRAKES3
STEERING3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1

Recalls (4)

14V82700030/12/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, m

12V11200022/03/2012

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY HARDENED AND COULD FRACTURE.

21V05100005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, Californi

21V05400005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS,

Recent Complaints

20240812CrashPOWER TRAIN

MY AUTO GEAR SHIFT DISINGAGED FROM THE TRANSMISSION THE CAR STARTED MOVING AS I WAS TRYING TO GET INTO THE DRIVER SEAT WITH DRIVER DOOR CATCHING THE TREE LIMBS AND OPENING THE DOOR AND ME HOLDING ONTO THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROOKE AND I FELL ONTO THE GROUND WHEN THE CAR STOPPED BY BACKING OVER THE CURB AND HITTING ANOTHER TREE. THERE IS A BUSHING HOLDING THE CABLE TO TRANSMISSION LEVER AND MY AUTO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND LOCAL CHEVY DEALER HAVE BOTH TOLD ME THE FAULTY CABLE CONNECTOR GETS BRITTLE AND BREAKS. NO WAY TO SAFELY DRIVE AS I CANNOT MOVE.

20230711AIR BAGS

This is a recall took my 2012 Surburban to dealership in leavenworth, KS they had vehicle for two weeks did not fix the airbag that is under recall they stated could not get parts for it. So what is the problem with our government system in place to fix these problems but the GM dealership is not fixing the air bag nor do they call and state they have the parts in stock now???

20220819STRUCTURE:BODY

My dash on my 2012 Suburban cracked within 4 years of its manufactured date and it just keeps getting worse. If there were an accident it is so dry and cracked it will through hard plastic into the driver and passengers. I know of many other same and similar year models that have the same issue. Now that there is a passenger-side airbag recall would be the perfect time for GM to step up and fix this obvious flaw.

20210831STRUCTURE:BODY

Dashboard is cracking. I understand the class action was dismissed. But this is so unfair that the customers have to pay to fix for problem caused by material problem.

20210603AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V051000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

20210428AIR BAGS

I WAS SENT A SAFETY RECALL FORM & STILL HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I AM WORRIED BECAUSE WE USE OUR FAMILY CAR A LOT. THANK YOU!

20210330STRUCTURE:BODY

CRACKED DASHBOARD IN SEVERAL AREAS

Mileage: 200,000

20210330STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

CRACKED DASHBOARD IN SEVERAL AREAS

Mileage: 200,000

20210327STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERELY CRACKED DASH

Mileage: 43,000

20210309AIR BAGS

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

20210309STRUCTURE:BODY

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

20210309UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG INFLATOR (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 21V051). AFTER TAKING OUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT IF WE WANT THE RECALL THEN WE HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE OUR DASHBOARD (OVER $1,000). THE DASHBOARD HAS A CRACK WHICH IS A COMMON AND WELL-KNOWN DEFECT OF GM CHEVROLET TRUCKS FROM 07-14, BUT IT IS NOT PART OF THE AIRBAG RECALL. AND NOW, GM HIDES BEHIND A SO-CALLED "COSMETIC" ISSUE IN OUR DASHBOARD TO AVOID COMPLIANCE WITH THE RECALL. GM IS NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG IN OUR VEHICLE. WE FEEL VERY UNNERVED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A BAD AIRBAG THAT GM REFUSES TO FIX WITHOUT GREAT EXPENSE. OTHERS ARE LIKELY FACING THE SAME ISSUE FOR THIS RECALL.

20210301ENGINE

TRANSMISSION FAILURE< 150,000 MILES!! WELL MAINTAINED. LEFT US STRANDED ON OFF RAMP I-78.!!! CRACKED DASH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

Mileage: 147,000

20210301POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE< 150,000 MILES!! WELL MAINTAINED. LEFT US STRANDED ON OFF RAMP I-78.!!! CRACKED DASH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

Mileage: 147,000

20210301UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TRANSMISSION FAILURE< 150,000 MILES!! WELL MAINTAINED. LEFT US STRANDED ON OFF RAMP I-78.!!! CRACKED DASH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

Mileage: 147,000

20210121AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG ERROR INDICATOR ON THE DASH ACTIVATES FREQUENTLY, ESPECIALLY AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES IN ONE DAY. WHEN THE ERROR MESSAGE IS ACTIVATED, THE BACKUP CAMERA IMAGE IS PIXILATED. IT DOES NOT DO IT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. CHEVROLET SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RECOVER THE ERROR CODE OR REPLICATE THE ERROR MESSAGE. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM.

Mileage: 125,000

20201219STRUCTURE:BODY

THERE ARE 2 LARGE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD ONE RUNNING LONGITUDINALLY ON AXIS OF STEERING COLUMN AND ANOTHER SPREADING FORWARD TOWARD DRIVER SIDE ON FORWARD DRIVER CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG CUTOUT RADIUSED CORNER. I WAS WARNED AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE THAT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD IN EVENT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I AM REPORTING THE DATE AS THE DATE I PURCHASED VEHICAL BUT CRACK WAS PRESENT PRIOR TO THAT DATE FOR AN UNDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME.

Mileage: 130,000

20201011UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD HAS SLOWLY STARTED CRACKING. CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND NOT DRIVEN IN EXTREME CONDITIONS TO WARRANT SUCH DISTRESS ON THE DASHBOARD

20200717UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING

Mileage: 115,717

20200717STRUCTURE

DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING

Mileage: 115,717

Compare 2012CHEVROLETSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?
The 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 139 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
Yes, the 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 38 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.